Father Christmas is coming to Chelmsley Wood
Meet him in his grotto at Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, and every child chooses a present from his sack. £5 per child.
Opens Saturday 21 November
Psst… tap the sky to make it snow
From the North Pole
Are you on Santa's Nice List?
Type your first name and the elves will check the big book for you.
13 magical days
Open a door to pick your day
Each door shows how many places are left. Gold doors are Sensory Sundays, a calmer visit from 12 noon to 4pm.
Weekdays and Saturdays 12 noon – 5pm · Sundays 12 noon – 4pm.
For the grown-ups
How your visit works
- 1
Book online
Choose your day, a 30-minute arrival time and how many children. It takes about a minute.
- 2
Arrive 5 minutes early
The grotto is inside Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, next to the Post Office. Quote your booking name.
- 3
Meet Father Christmas
Every child chooses a boys' or girls' present from his sack, and you can add a photo.
£5per child
- A present from Santa's sack
- Your own 30-minute arrival time
- Grown-ups don't need a ticket
- No booking fee
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
Photos with Santa
Phones and cameras aren't allowed inside the grotto, so we take the photos for you.
- Single photo
- £5
- Group photo
- £10
- Extra copy
- £5
Sensory Sundays
6, 13 and 20 December, 12 noon to 4pm. No music in the shopping centre, dimmed centre lights and unhurried visits, so every child can meet Santa at their own pace.
Book a Sensory Sunday →Before your visit
Write your letter to Santa
Fill it in, print it at home and bring it with you. You can hand it to Father Christmas in his grotto.
Last Christmas
What families told us
“Seeing his reaction when he met Santa was priceless. Santa listened to everything he had to say and made the whole visit feel personal.”
“The quieter environment, reduced lighting and patient staff made such a difference. Our son could meet Santa at his own pace without feeling overwhelmed.”
“For £5 per child, we were really impressed. The staff were friendly, Santa made the children feel special and they haven’t stopped talking about their visit.”
“Our daughter was nervous at first, but Santa took his time and quickly made her feel comfortable. It was a genuinely lovely experience.”
“The grotto was beautifully decorated and Santa was brilliant with our children. They were given plenty of time to talk to him and absolutely loved choosing their gifts.”
“We visited the market before seeing Santa, which made it feel like a complete festive day out. The grotto looked lovely and the children were delighted with their gifts.”
“The booking process was straightforward and the staff explained everything clearly when we arrived. We didn’t feel rushed and the children had a wonderful time.”
“We chose the group photo and were really pleased with it. It captured a special family moment and gave us something to keep after the visit.”
“We attended as a larger family group and the team handled everything brilliantly. Each child had their own moment with Santa and nobody felt rushed.”
“Friendly staff, a lovely Santa and a relaxed atmosphere. It was simple, affordable and exactly the type of local Christmas experience we wanted.”
Feedback families gave Christopher at last year's grotto.
Do we need to arrive at a set time?
Yes. You choose a 30-minute slot when you book. Please arrive about 5 minutes early and quote your booking name.
What if we're running late?
Call or text 07922 143025 and we'll do our best to fit you in later that day.
Do grown-ups need a ticket?
No. You only pay for the children, so parents, carers and grandparents come along free.
Is there a booking fee?
No. It's £5 per child, plus any photos you choose.
Can I cancel?
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 48 hours before your visit day opens (12 noon), using the link in your confirmation email. After that, bookings can't be refunded.
Can I take my own photos?
Personal phones and cameras aren't allowed inside the grotto. Professional photos are available from £5.
Is it suitable for children with SEND?
Yes. Our Sensory Sundays (6, 13 and 20 December) are designed for a calmer, unhurried visit. Wheelchair access is up to 1 metre wide.
Can we book for a nursery, school or big group?
You can book up to 10 children online. For bigger groups, call or text 07922 143025.
Where is the grotto?
Inside Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre (B37 5TS), by the indoor market and the outdoor Christmas market, next to the Post Office.
Santa can't wait to meet you
£5 per child · a present from his sack · no booking fee
Book a visitMake a day of it: the Chelmsley Wood Christmas Market runs on weekends to 20 December.